I am trying to decide if I want to attend SMU Part-Time or the University of Houston FUll-Time. I would much rather be in Dallas but I am concerned that a PT program would make it more difficult to particpate in student life, such as mock trial, journals, etc., even if I am only working part-time. I know I can participate in these activities, but I'm concerned about challenges to participation of which I may be unaware. Both schools would cost approximately the same. SMU students have been helpful in other posts, so I'm hoping some part -time students can continue to share insight.

I don't know, I'm just assuming. I think SMU and UH are about equal for job opps. Obviously SMU is better for Dallas and UH is better for Houston but in the end, it should be about the same. so if it is FT vs PT, i'm thinking FT will be better too. i could be wrong.

Kalvano, wouldn't you say it depends on how badly he needs to be in Dallas? As in his desire to be in Dallas vs. an extra year and perhaps a lesser chance of being employed?

No, because he will have greater access to everything in Dallas. He could work for a firm during the day, school at night, and transfer to the FT program if he wishes.

The benefits of going to a strong regional school in the city you want to be in outweigh going to UH full-time, I believe. Unless he has strong prior ties to Dallas, then UH might be better.

Also, SMU seems to do a pretty good job of integrating PT into the total atmosphere.

can you even transfer from PT to FT? i know OP said he's MUCH RATHER be in Dallas but beggars can't be choosers. and with (I'm assuming) 100 - 200 grand in debt, we're all beggars. now it looks i'm trolling again but i think OP should seriously consider the difference - if any - of chance for employment and extra cost of a year between FT UH and PT SMU.

haha i'm not knocking my future law school. i'm really excited to be at SMU. just saying there are things to consider as where you end up practicing shouldn't outrank if you end up practicing.

and i hope you guys are right-- kalvano, the other SMU guy -- i hope the job market will be good for us.

After first year, the classes aren't divided between FT and PT. Once you're done with 1L core courses FT and PT students are free to register for any classes they want. Plenty of PT students taking day classes and vice versa.

Accelerating graduation is easy although I always point out that it is a bad idea for an evening student in the top 25%.

Employment prospects are different for some in the PT program but only b/c of the more diverse backgrounds in the PT program. The student with a Ph.D. in a hard science or the student with the MBA from a top 3 business school may have different employment needs than the average day student.

I have already calculated the opportunity costs of a fourth year and it comes out to about even in term of total cost between SMU and UHLC. I'm a little concerned that PT program will not have as rich an academic environment due students having families and jobs that occupy a lot of their time and energy and that this could negatively impact educational quality. Also that it is more difficult for PT students to participate in student life through organizations and journals due to scheduling issues w/ morning work and evening classes. Any thoughts on this?

Also, I thought it was a good point that it is possible still to work in Dallas after attending UHLC full-time. But would that be almost as difficult as landing law review?

bimmer12 wrote:I'm a little concerned that PT program will not have as rich an academic environment due students having families and jobs that occupy a lot of their time and energy and that this could negatively impact educational quality.

I'm not quite sure what your concerns are here.

Can you elaborate on what manner you are concerned that educational qualify will be negatively impacted?

Perhaps this is neurosis setting in as I try to examine every possible angle of this decision. My thought process was less along the lines of PT students quality of participation in class as outside of class in terms of building relationships/study groups and the like. I guess it could be described as the "academic culture". It was a point raised by one of my former bosses who is an attorney and it was something I had never considered before, but perhaps not of that much pratical value. But maybe it is, so I thought I'd bring it up and see what people thought.

so this isnt exactly related to the OP, but I am waiting on a decision from SMU and people are chattering about on this thread so I might as well ask. My app was held for further review quite a while ago, and I'm getting antsy. Any predictions on 155/3.67? I applied full or part time, and frankly, I would love to be part time if admitted. I know that my numbers are below the full time numbers, but does anyone have any idea if my numbers will get me in part time?

If there is another place I should be posting this, please forgive me. Just got an account after lurking throughout the whole cycle. Cheers everyone.

an argument can be made that the academic culture is much richer with part-time. 40 yr olds have much more life experience that 22 yr olds, and I've heard great things about attending a pt law school and learning from all those more experienced individuals.